The Clinical Significance of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Particles in Synovial Fluid

Abstract

Examination of synovial fluid has proved to be of definite value in the diagnosis of certain rheumatic conditions; but more importantly, it has led to greater understanding of the pathogenesis of some diseases affecting joints.

Renewed interest in the study of synovial fluid has been stimulated by the identification of sodium urate crystals in the synovial fluids of patients with gouty arthritis (1, 2) and has resulted in an understanding of the role of urate crystals in acute gouty inflammation (3). The finding of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in the synovial fluid of patients with pseudogout (4) has provided a rapid